JESE PUT ME ON THE MAP.

Mr. Benono Ategeka is a 52-year-old male. Originally born in Kisoro. Benon lives in Nyamwendara village, Kyakatooyo Parish, Katooke Sub County in Kyenjojo district. Benono is married and has 11 children. One out of the 11 children live with them while the rest are in boarding school.

I am a farmer as well as a business man. I have stayed in this village for the last 11 years.  I met Joint Effort to Save the Children-JESE and Care in 2029. I told them that I am a farmer and I was asked if I was in a group. Our group was introduced to JESE and Care team and the rest is history.

We were taught about farm planning, encouraged to plan together with my wife and the rest of the family members among other things using the FFBS Model. “I want to thank JESE for taking us and teaching us. Because of JESE and Care, I now own a milling machine at the trading center and 14 ha of land in which  I have coffee garden, matooke and my wife understands money.” Said Benon

JESE found when my wife and I would never agree on anything. Whenever I would sell the produce from our garden, my wife would not believe when I told her that the money was finished. There was a lot of misunderstandings between us. When JESE came, I picked interest and attended the trainings. During the trainings, we were taught numerous things; Home farm planning, child care among others. We started doing everything together unlike before when we would have separate gardens.

We have continued to plan and do everything together. I support my wife with all house chores and my neighbors ask whether my wife is fine. Each time they met me at the bore hole or taking our goats to graze. We planned for our children. In 2022, we agreed to take our children to better schools because our house income improved. 2 of my children are at St. Charles Lwanga, while others are in great schools too. I pay school fees of 500 plus for each child every term.

“Because of JESE and Care, we became a role model home in our community and started sharing our experiences with other community members. Other men would let their wives do all the work at home from morning to 6pm and still expected their wives to care for them (Men) in the night. Benon shared.

I shared with them my experience and also told them the causes of misunderstandings between couples. I encouraged them to sit down with their family members and plan together as a family for the betterment of their families.

“I became a role model man and oriented other men. I became known in my community and got elected as the Chairman, Development Affairs. At our church, I am on the procurement committee with Compassion Uganda. At school, I am the Chairman-PTA because I am known as a responsible father.” Benon shared.

 I became a Community Based Trainer under JESE and Care. Now, we discuss on what investments can bring income and care for our children’s basic needs.  Working together with my wife has improved my family. I am now called to the CDO’s Office to support with community Development activities.

I want to thank God for bringing JESE to our community. I want to thank JESE and Care for the good work done in our community and ask them to continue empowering us. Care taught  us to plan and do things as planned. Some people don’t understand the need to educated the girl child. I want to encourage everyone to pick interest in educating girls.

Continue to plan as a family because I am a testimony of the benefits. We now have our plots of land at the Trading center. I encourage other men to empower their spouses to be financially capable. You always have peace and harmony once you support your wife. She will continue supporting, trusting and believing in you and your abilities. Children will respect you and hold you in high regard unlike when everyone does separate plans.

“JESE put me on the map. Other NGOs got to know me through JESE work and I am delighted that JESE believed in me. My children know me as their father because I provide.” Benono adds.